Accelerated life testing and reliability estimation for internet of things-based smart water networks

Abstract

With the growing demand for sustainable urban water management, the reliability and longevity of smart water network components play a crucial role in reducing resource waste and enhancing environmental resilience. This study evaluates the reliability of a household-scale IoT-based smart water network, focusing on accelerated life testing (ALT) of key components, including electronic water meters and communication modules. A three-phase verification approach, i.e., engineering, design, and production verification tests, was implemented to identify and mitigate potential design weaknesses before mass deployment. By subjecting components to temperature, humidity, and thermal cycling stress, failure data were collected and analyzed using exponential and Weibull distribution models within a series-system reliability framework. Results indicate that, after iterative reinforcement, critical components achieved a reliability of 0.98 at a 90 % confidence level over an eight-year service period, significantly exceeding the target reliability level of 0.9. Deploying high-reliability smart water meters enhances real-time water resource monitoring, preventing excessive water loss and optimizing consumption efficiency, which is crucial for achieving urban sustainability goals. This study demonstrates that integrating ALT with a systematic three-phase validation process can significantly improve the durability and sustainability of smart water networks.